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Month: November 2016

When Cat and I recorded this podcast last week, we had no idea what kind of changes would happen in the world between then and airing. Thus in addition to our chat about living carfree, this episode includes an empowering call to action to be the change you wish to see. B(ik)e the change, if that’s your jam. But pedal onward, literally and figuratively, and don’t apologize for sticking up for the things you believe in. Sometimes being a rebel can be tough work. But it’s so worth it.

I hope you enjoy listening. I’m really proud to be on this week, and huge thanks to Cat for having me!

No, I’m not talking about the electoral college votes. And I’m not talking about what you did or didn’t do in a voting booth on Tuesday.

We vote every day, whether we are cognizant of it or not.

When you ride your bike instead of driving, you vote for clean air, clean water, energy independence, and better infrastructure.

When you put your dollars in local businesses (local bike shops and beyond), you vote for Main Street, small business owners and in support of your local economy.

When we eat, we can vote for our local farmers, for the wellbeing of workers and animals, and for the environment.

When you speak words to others, it is the chance to vote for more love and compassion in this world, for understanding and tolerance.

When we forgive, it is a vote for healing in ourselves and in those who have hurt us.

We are all human. Not one of us is perfect. But we each have so much power to make the world a better, kinder, cleaner and healthier place the second we decide to apply action to that which we hold most dear.

So please, keep voting. Early and often. As long as you are on this side of the dirt, you have choices that matter. “You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.”

When I decided to move to Greenville from Charleston, I knew I had to say goodbye to my beautiful single speed beach cruiser (her name was Lulu) and find a new steed that was more compatible with rolling hills. I was evidently so worried about finding a bike shop in Greenville (ha) that I looked up Affordabike on King street, and fell in love with Oliver. He made the journey to Greenville with me and we had a great many adventures together. Suddenly no longer limited by geographical barriers such as bridges or bodies of water, it was with Oliver that I began to explore the possibility of living car free permanently, rather than going a few weeks at a time without driving.
Unfortunately, our love was not built to last. As beautiful as he was, the hills were calling and he weighed a hefty 42 pounds. Being exposed to the road cycling culture of Greenville made me realize there was a more efficient way to get around. After just 6 months, I bought a touring bike and eventually sold Oliver since I simply don’t have room in my apartment to keep him. As nostalgic as I can get about my past bikes, I like to imagine them continuing on their journey and bringing joy to other riders.

I thought I knew a good bit about the history of roads, but I wasn’t aware it involved mastodons or germ theory. I also loved the part where cars were called “noisy smoking stinkwagons” (also, I think that would make a great bumper sticker). It’s so interesting to see how our perception of what is “normal” and acceptable to society can be altered, especially in terms of infrastructure that we typically take for granted and tend to assume has never or hardly changed. And with all of the recent buzz about self-driving cars, it’s intriguing to think about how our relationship with public roadways could change in the next few decades.